House Blessing

[Miserissima]

After being in this house for four years, I totally forgot that maybe we should have the house blessed. No, not superstition or ghosties or things that go bump in the night…but I desire that feeling of peace and stability to know that my home is a blessing from God, a sanctuary He has provided, if you will – especially after the break-in.

I would like to know about your experience: priest, deacon, monsegnior?

What did they do?

How long did it take?

Were there prayers, incense, holy water?

Did they look over the back yard?

Yard shrines?

Indoor shrines?

Closets?

Does there need to be a crucifix (not just a cross) in every room?

Just something I was wondering about, that’s all.

Thanks!

 

[MarieVeronica]

We had our house blessed last year. It was a wonderful experience. Father prayed with us in the living room, and gave us certain prayers to say… (I loved that we participated in the blessing). Then, he simply went from room to room with holy water, and blessed each room. (Including the bathrooms! Sorry… had to toss that in).

We didn’t light any candles, or do any incensing. I don’t know, that may be the choice of the priest doing the blessing. He didn’t step into any closets… but I had opened all the closets, beforehand. I had felt in interior “impulse” to do that, before the blessing.

I don’t think it’s a requirement to have a crucifix in every room. We didn’t, at the time. But, we do now. We didn’t ask him to bless anything, outside (yard shrines, etc.). But I’m sure if you ask your priest, he will do so. My understanding, was that the house… and everything in it (including you and your family)… receive God’s blessing. Hope this helps.

 

[Miserissima]

MarieVeronica,

It helps a lot!

I"ll call the rectory when I get the chance next week and see who’s available to come out and do it – (seems to be a very busy parish since there’s a school attached to it; but I hope things have slowed down for the summer so we can have a priest come out.

I was just wondering about the process, and you’ve answered my question thoroughly. Thank you!

-Mis

 

[PatriciaGabriel]

I was in a convent once when it was blessed (it was blessed once a year during the Easter season), and the priest said a blessing and blessed each room with holy water. He also wrote a blessing in Latin on the chalkboards in our classrooms.

Another nice monastic practice is that the sisters bless each cell (bedroom) every night. The sister blessing the cell says: Hail Mary and the sister in the cell responds: Full of Grace. It was a beautiful way to end the day.

 

[SarahR]

That’s a beautiful practice. I wonder if young families do it anymore these days.

My mom still cringes remembering one day many years ago, when a priest dropped in unannounced and offered to bless the house. At the time she had 8 kids living at home and she was mortified at the mess!

 

[Conservative]

My Mom used to recount that she’d asked a priest (when I was almost too young to remember) to come and bless the house. We had alot of holy images then - though not nearly as much as now. If I remember correctly, she said the priest took one look and asked, “You want me to bless this house?” commenting that the house looked like a Church — Again, it’s been alot of years since I heard this story - words approximate but Mom used to tell me. Now, the statues and holy images have significantly increased in number. Pray God, that the graces have, too.

 

[surfinpure]

We had our new home blessed last year by the priest at our new parish. I remember there was a Scripture reading, some prayers, and Father walked around sprinkling holy water on all the windows and doors. It took less than half an hour, maybe only fifteen minutes in all. It was a wonderful ceremony, and given that the last couple to live here were actively involved in Planned Parenthood, I considered it to be highly necessary. We didn’t want any evil attachment that came into this house with their acts.

It was also a wonderful opportunity for us to visit with our new pastor. He’s so busy that we haven’t had the same chance since!

 

[SarahR]

My Mom used to recount that she’d asked a priest (when I was almost too young to remember) to come and bless the house. We had alot of holy images then - though not nearly as much as now. If I remember correctly, she said the priest took one look and asked, “You want me to bless this house?” commenting that the house looked like a Church — Again, it’s been alot of years since I heard this story - words approximate but Mom used to tell me. Now, the statues and holy images have significantly increased in number. Pray God, that the graces have, too.

funny